HomeThe Prisoner of BeautyZhe Yao - Chapter 5: Riding the Tiger

Zhe Yao – Chapter 5: Riding the Tiger

Madam Ding took the Qiao sisters to burn incense at Changsheng Temple. Unexpectedly, after a short nap, she woke to find that Da Qiao had vanished. She frantically questioned Xiao Qiao, who explained that she and Da Qiao had originally been in the same room. Feeling bloated from overeating at lunch, Xiao Qiao had wanted to take a walk in the back of the temple to aid digestion. She had invited Da Qiao along, but Da Qiao claimed to be tired and stayed behind. Xiao Qiao then went for a walk with her maid, only to return and find Da Qiao gone. She had assumed Da Qiao was with Madam Ding.

Madam Ding grew even more anxious. She had servants and temple monks search everywhere but to no avail. At first, she feared Da Qiao had been kidnapped by villains who had snuck into the temple. Tears streamed down her face, and her legs were so weak she could barely walk. She hurriedly prepared to return to the city to inform her husband and capture the criminals. At this moment, the estate’s steward who had accompanied them reported that the horse handler Bi Zhi was also missing.

Madam Ding’s mind was in chaos. Initially, she didn’t connect these two disappearances. On the way back to the city, she sat in the carriage, still at a loss, clutching her handkerchief and weeping incessantly. Xiao Qiao accompanied her, and seeing her aunt so heartbroken, felt somewhat guilty. Fearing that if her uncle conducted a large-scale search in his jurisdiction, the pair might not have gone far and could be discovered, which would be unfortunate, Xiao Qiao waited until they were halfway home before tearfully confessing, “It’s all my fault, Aunt. If I hadn’t been so playful and had stayed with my sister, surely nothing would have happened to her.”

Xiao Qiao had lost her mother at a young age, and Madam Ding, being kind-hearted, pitied her youth and treated her like her own daughter. Seeing Xiao Qiao blame herself, Madam Ding held back her sorrow and consoled her, “My child, it’s not your fault. Don’t be upset.”

Xiao Qiao said, “Aunt, I’ve been thinking, isn’t it too much of a coincidence that my sister and that horse handler disappeared at the same time? I believe my sister wasn’t kidnapped by villains…”

Madam Ding stared at her blankly.

Xiao Qiao leaned close to her ear and whispered something.

Madam Ding was shocked and exclaimed, “You mean they’re…”

She suddenly stopped, covering her mouth with her handkerchief.

Xiao Qiao nodded.

“I think this is the only possibility. Think about it, Aunt. Changsheng Temple is a sacred Buddhist place. How could villains suddenly sneak in and kidnap someone? And these villains would be so bold as to target the daughter of the Governor’s mansion? It’s just too coincidental that my sister and that horse handler both disappeared. What else could it be but them leaving together? And speaking of this, I remembered something…”

Xiao Qiao’s face showed hesitation.

“What is it? Tell me quickly!” Madam Ding urged anxiously.

“A few days ago, when my sister and I went out, that horse handler was accompanying us. I accidentally saw my sister talking with him in secret. When they saw me coming, they hurriedly separated, and my sister seemed a bit flustered. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now…”

She trailed off.

Of course, this was a complete fabrication. But Madam Ding could never imagine that Xiao Qiao would lie to her. After hearing this, her face alternated between red and pale, leaving her speechless.

“Aunt, if I had known this would happen, I should have told you then… It’s my fault for being too careless…”

Xiao Qiao’s voice lowered, and she bowed her head, pretending to be tearful and sorrowful.

Madam Ding carefully recalled that horse handler. Apart from his strange green eyes, he was indeed strikingly handsome.

Two years ago, when Xiao Qiao had just been betrothed to Liu Yan, Liu Yan’s stepmother’s sister, the Madam of Guoyang from Langya, came to Dongjun. She had taken a liking to the Qiao family’s horse handler and asked for him. The Madam of Guoyang was known for her charm and flirtatious nature, fond of keeping handsome young men as lovers. Madam Ding had heard rumors about this.

Since she had asked, it was just a horse handler, so naturally, they gave him to her. Unexpectedly, a few days later, this horse handler was whipped severely and thrown half-dead outside the city. It was said that he was untamable and had angered the Madam of Guoyang, thus suffering such a cruel punishment. Fortunately, the horse handler was lucky to survive. After some time, he found his way back to the Qiao family. By then, the Madam of Guoyang had already left, so the Qiao family didn’t drive him away and kept him on.

Recalling this old incident, Madam Ding felt increasingly empty inside, filled with regret and hatred. Suddenly, she tensed up and grabbed Xiao Qiao’s hand, instructing, “My child, this matter concerns your sister’s reputation. You must not let anyone else know!”

Xiao Qiao had been waiting for these words. Her heart relaxed, and she nodded, “Don’t worry, Aunt. I won’t say a word to anyone.”

At first, Madam Ding thought her daughter had been kidnapped by villains, and her mind was in chaos. Now, after hearing Xiao Qiao’s analysis, the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Her daughter’s life was probably not in danger, and her mind gradually began to settle. On the way home, she alternated between sighing and weeping. Once home, she hurriedly went to discuss the matter with her husband. After listening to his wife’s tearful explanation, Qiao Yue was shocked and enraged. He angrily overturned the table and was about to draw his sword and rush out, but Madam Ding held him back, weeping, “My lord! You mustn’t! If you conduct a large-scale search, our daughter’s reputation will be ruined!”

Qiao Yue calmed down, knowing his wife was right. Moreover, they were at a crucial point in arranging the marriage with the Wei family. If people learned that Da Qiao had eloped with a horse handler, even if they continued to show goodwill, the Wei family would certainly not agree. After a moment’s thought, he immediately summoned his trusted advisor, Zhang Pu.

The idea of the marriage alliance had originally come from Zhang Pu. Upon hearing this news, Zhang Pu was shocked and dared not be negligent. He quickly gave orders, strictly commanding the attendants not to spread the news of Da Qiao’s disappearance while secretly dispatching people to search. Naturally, they couldn’t conduct a large-scale search, so they only sent people to look in directions where the pair might have fled.

That evening, Xiao Qiao discovered a letter of apology in Da Qiao’s room that she had left for her parents. Without delay, she immediately took it to them. After reading the letter, Qiao Yue and his wife were certain that their daughter had indeed left with the green-eyed horse handler. One raged and cursed incessantly, while the other wept and sobbed uncontrollably. With the search parties still not returning with any news, outsiders remained oblivious, but the Governor’s mansion was in utter chaos.

While the main household was in turmoil, the situation in Qiao Ping’s household was quite different. Xiao Qiao, with a worried expression, spent her days comforting Madam Ding. Qiao Ci, upon learning that her elder cousin had eloped at this crucial time, was not angry but delighted, immediately urging her father to advise his elder brother. Qiao Ping waited for two days, and seeing that Da Qiao had vanished without a trace, knew he couldn’t delay any longer. He went to his elder brother’s study to discuss the matter. As he approached the door, he heard sighs of despair from inside. Entering, he saw his elder brother Qiao Yue, and the advisor Zhang Pu sitting opposite each other, both with furrowed brows.

Qiao Yue said, “We just received news that although our envoy didn’t meet Wei Shao, they met his grandmother, Madam Xu. Madam Xu has agreed to the marriage and said they would choose an auspicious date and send people to Yanzhou to receive the bride. The marriage envoy is already on their way and will arrive in a few days. But now Da Qiao has run away. What are we to do?”

He was so anxious that he paced back and forth after speaking.

Qiao Ping was stunned. He glanced at Zhang Pu, saw that he too was deeply frowning, thought for a moment, and then asked Zhang Pu to leave.

Yanzhou, located in the heartland of the Central Plains near Henan, where the Wen and Si rivers converge, was a place of natural beauty and cultural richness. Not only was it abundant in resources and densely populated, but it was also a shortcut to Xuzhou and Yuzhou in the south. For this reason, it has been a strategic military location since ancient times. The Qiao family’s ancestors had been governing this land for the Han Emperor for generations. When Grandfather Qiao Gui was still alive, the family maintained a strong military presence, and others dared not covet Yanzhou. However, by the time it passed to Qiao Yue, the Qiao family’s influence had waned. Qiao Yue’s naturally weak disposition and tendency to prioritize self-preservation in times of crisis further contributed to Yanzhou’s decline, leading to the current predicament of being surrounded by powerful enemies.

Madam Xu whom Qiao Yue mentioned earlier was the daughter of Princess Gaoyang of Zhongshan from the imperial family, titled Wongzhu. Years ago, she had married into the Wei family due to her father-in-law’s meritorious service in defending against the Xiongnu. She was known for her intelligence and capability. Ten years prior, during the campaign against Li Su, she suddenly lost her eldest son and grandson. At that time, Wei Shao was only twelve years old, and with powerful enemies surrounding them, the Wei family’s foundation in Yan and You was in peril. It was under Madam Xu’s leadership that they overcame the crisis. It was said that Wei Shao greatly respected his grandmother, so even though Wei Shao himself had not personally agreed to this marriage, Madam Xu’s consent meant the matter was settled. No wonder Elder Brother was so anxious.

Qiao Ping said, “Elder Brother, I still maintain that even if our niece marries into their family, it may not be a long-term solution. Currently, the Wei family’s power is still in the north, and they merely intend to use our Yanzhou as a stepping stone to advance into the Central Plains without expending any military resources. Once the Wei family establishes a firm foothold, they may turn against our Qiao family. How will we deal with that situation then? And how will our niece fare? The Wei family must still harbor resentment over past events. This marriage alliance is akin to feeding ourselves to the tiger. The fate of Li Su’s clan serves as a cautionary tale!”

Qiao Yue frowned and said, “Second Brother, you’re overthinking. Once we become in-laws, how could the Wei family simply turn against us? Moreover, the current situation is urgent, and we must first overcome this crisis! As for Afan, as the eldest daughter of the Qiao family, with Yanzhou in such a precarious state, she must help resolve our family’s difficulties. Originally, the matter was about to be resolved, but I never imagined she would be so unfilial! I have raised this daughter in vain!”

Qiao Ping pleaded, “Elder Brother since our niece cannot be found, we should consider alternatives. The current plan should be for me to go to Chenliu immediately to persuade Zhang Fu. If we make an all-out effort, there might still be a way out.”

Qiao Yue sighed, “You make it sound so simple! Let’s not even discuss whether an alliance with Zhang Fu could overcome our difficulties. Just consider the current situation with the Wei family. Their marriage envoy is about to arrive, but Afan is nowhere to be found. How do we explain this?”

“We could say that Afan has suddenly fallen gravely ill and is unable to proceed with the marriage. We’ll send more gifts to the Wei family as an apology. I doubt they would make much of it,” Qiao Ping said, having already thought of a solution.

Qiao Yue’s brow remained furrowed. After a moment of deep thought, he let out a long sigh and said, “Let me think about it some more.”

Knowing he couldn’t rush his brother, Qiao Ping reluctantly took his leave. He briefly relayed the conversation to the eagerly waiting Qiao Ci, who in turn informed Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao immediately felt a glimmer of hope and instructed her brother to inform her immediately if there was any new development. Qiao Ci agreed.

Two days later, there was still no news of Da Qiao. While Qiao Ping anxiously awaited his elder brother’s response, news somehow spread throughout Puyang City in Dongjun that Zhou Qun, upon hearing of the marriage alliance between the Qiao and Wei families, had quietly withdrawn his troops. The crisis in Yanzhou was resolved, and the Wei family’s marriage envoy was expected to arrive soon. The people of Puyang, hearing that the threat of war had passed, were overjoyed. From morning until night, men and women, young and old, supported each other as they came to kneel and pay respects in front of the Governor’s mansion. Qiao Ping sensed something was amiss and hurriedly sought out his elder brother. He found him sitting at his desk, talking with Zhang Pu. Upon seeing Qiao Ping arrive, Zhang Pu stopped speaking, stood up, bowed slightly to him, and took his leave.

“Elder Brother! Zhou Qun has withdrawn his troops, and the whole city is talking about the marriage with the Wei family. How did this news spread?” Qiao Ping asked, confused.

In contrast to Qiao Ping’s bewilderment, Yanzhou Governor Qiao Yue appeared much calmer than before, saying, “Isn’t this good news? It spares our Yanzhou’s soldiers and civilians from the ravages of war.”

“Zhou Qun’s withdrawal is certainly good news. But have you received any word about our niece?” Qiao Ping inquired.

Qiao Yue shook his head, his face darkening. “What news could there be? From now on, don’t mention that shameless girl again! The Qiao family has no such daughter!”

Although Qiao Yue had several concubines, apart from Da Qiao, he had only had one other son and daughter in his early years, both of whom had died young. Thus, Da Qiao was Qiao Yue’s only daughter.

With no news of Da Qiao and the city buzzing with talk of the marriage, yet seeing Qiao Yue showing no signs of anxiety, Qiao Ping was confused. He looked at his elder brother, who was staring at him intently. Suddenly, remembering the meaningful glance Zhang Pu had given him before leaving, a realization struck him, and his expression changed.

“Elder Brother, are you planning to have Xiao Qiao marry in Da Qiao’s place?” he asked hesitantly.

Qiao Yue replied, “That is indeed the plan. I was just about to call for you to discuss it when you arrived. What do you think, Second Brother?”

Qiao Ping was shocked. Without thinking, he immediately shook his head and said, “That’s unacceptable! Have you forgotten, Elder Brother, that Manman is already betrothed to the heir of Langya? The wedding is set for next year! How can she marry Wei Yan instead?”

Qiao Yue calmly responded, “Regarding the Langya heir, I don’t foresee any major issues. I will send a persuasive envoy to gracefully withdraw from the engagement and present generous gifts. I don’t think the Langya family will hold it against us too severely.”

His tone was measured, echoing Qiao Ping’s earlier words.

Qiao Ping waved his hands repeatedly, “Elder Brother, this absolutely cannot happen! Manman has long been engaged to the heir, and they are well-matched. How can we simply break it off? I cannot agree to this…”

“Lu’an!” Qiao Yue called out his brother’s courtesy name loudly, suddenly rising from his seat.

“You must have seen how overjoyed the people of the county were upon hearing of Zhou Qun’s withdrawal! Our Qiao family has been governing this land on behalf of the Emperor for generations. Can you truly bear to subject the 200,000 soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou to such peril? Now, merely spreading news of an alliance with the Wei family has caused Zhou Qun to withdraw his troops! I need not say more about the weight of your niece’s fate compared to that of 200,000 lives in Yanzhou, do I?”

Qiao Ping was momentarily stunned, finally understanding the situation.

His elder brother was desperately seeking peace. He must have heard Zhang Pu’s alternative strategy and thought of substituting Xiao Qiao for Da Qiao. Fearing Qiao Ping’s refusal, he deliberately spread the news early, creating the current situation and leaving Qiao Ping with no easy way out.

Qiao Ping loved his children, especially Xiao Qiao, like precious treasures, always fearing she might be wronged. The thought of marrying her off to the Wei family was truly against his wishes, but at this moment, even a simple “no” felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Despite the cold weather of the eleventh month, sweat beaded on Qiao Ping’s forehead. After a long struggle, he finally said with difficulty, “Elder Brother, it’s not that I don’t understand the gravity of the situation, but this matter is truly too…”

Suddenly, Qiao Yue walked in front of him and, without a word, knelt. He was about to touch his forehead to the ground when Qiao Ping, alarmed, quickly stepped forward to stop him.

“Elder Brother, what are you doing…”

“Second Brother!” Qiao Yue, eyes brimming with tears, spoke with great emotion, “I know you’re reluctant to send Manman far away to Youzhou. I too have only one daughter in Da Qiao. How could I bear to send her far from her parents? But given our current situation, listen to your elder brother – there is no other way but to seek Wei Shao’s favor! If it weren’t for Afan’s heartless departure, how could I even think of taking your Manman? As your brother, on behalf of the 200,000 soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou, I beg you!” With that, he attempted to bow again, disregarding Qiao Ping’s efforts to stop him.

Qiao Ping felt as if his heart was being pierced by thousands of arrows. His hands and feet turned cold as he forcefully supported his brother. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Please rise, Elder Brother. I will follow your instructions.”

Seeing that his brother had finally relented, Qiao Yue let out a sigh of relief. He stood up, grasping Qiao Ping’s hands tightly, and said with tears in his eyes, “Of all people today, none are as close as brothers! Second Brother, I am truly grateful that you can understand my difficulties.”

Knowing the matter was settled, Qiao Ping could only manage a bitter smile. As he left, he wondered how he would break this news to his unsuspecting daughter. Filled with sorrow and confusion, he found himself hesitating at the door of her room, suddenly feeling unable to face his beloved daughter.

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